Price County sits on top of 100 named lakes, 330 miles of trout streams, and three major watersheds — and almost nobody outside the county knows it. The Flambeau River alone drains 1,870 square miles of northern Wisconsin. We’ve spent four months mapping the county’s water infrastructure, and what we found surprised us.
Quick Answer: Price County’s water resources span three watersheds (Flambeau, Jump River, Chippewa), 100+ named lakes, and 330 miles of classified trout streams. The DNR monitors 15 fixed water quality stations across the county. Butternut Lake (1,296 acres) and the Phillips Chain of Lakes are the largest water bodies. Private well testing in 2024 found 8% of Price County wells exceed nitrate standards — below the state average of 12% but worth watching as CAFO operations expand.
Three Watersheds, One County
Price County drains into three major watersheds. The North Fork Flambeau River covers the western half, flowing south through Park Falls and into the Flambeau Flowage. The South Fork Flambeau drains the eastern tier, including Phillips and the Price County Forest. The Jump River watershed covers the northern sections, including Kennan and Worcester — where United Pride Dairy’s 39 million gallons of annual manure get land-applied across 5,420 acres.
Here’s what matters: all three watersheds feed the Chippewa River basin, which supplies drinking water to Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, and communities downstream. What happens in Price County doesn’t stay in Price County.
Lakes: The Big Ones
Price County has 100+ named lakes. The largest:
- Butternut Lake — 1,296 acres, max depth 27 feet, walleye and musky fishery. Public boat landing on the east shore off Butternut Lake Road.
- Phillips Chain of Lakes — Four connected lakes (Duroy, Elk, Wilson, Long) totaling 1,100+ acres. The chain runs through the city of Phillips. Three public landings.
- Round Lake — 326 acres, max depth 44 feet. One of the deeper lakes in the county, popular for lake trout and smallmouth bass.
- Elk Lake — 287 acres, part of the Phillips Chain. Shallow (18 feet max) but productive panfish lake.
The DNR classifies 15 lakes in Price County as “high-quality waters” — meaning they meet exceptional water quality standards for recreational use and ecological integrity.
Trout Streams: 330 Miles of Cold Water
The DNR has classified 330 miles of Price County streams as trout water. That’s more trout stream mileage than 68 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties. The big ones:
- North Fork Flambeau River — 92 miles of classified trout water from the Price-Iron county line to Park Falls
- South Fork Flambeau River — 67 miles, including the renowned Trophy Trout section below County Road D
- Jump River — 48 miles of classified trout water, North and South branches combined
- Elk River — 22 miles of Class I trout water (natural reproduction, no stocking)
For what it’s worth, the South Fork below County Road D is one of the best fly-fishing stretches in northern Wisconsin. We’ve fished it for three summers and the hatches are reliable from mid-May through June.
Water Quality Monitoring: What the Data Says
The DNR operates 15 fixed water quality monitoring stations in Price County. The data, published quarterly, tracks dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, phosphorus, and nitrate levels. The most recent published results (2024) show:
- Flambeau River at Park Falls: phosphorus 0.04 mg/L (below the 0.075 standard), nitrate 0.3 mg/L (well below 10 mg/L limit)
- Butternut Lake: Secchi depth 7.2 feet (moderate clarity), total phosphorus 0.02 mg/L (good)
- Jump River at Sheldon: phosphorus 0.06 mg/L (approaching standard), nitrate 0.8 mg/L (acceptable)
The Jump River numbers are the ones to watch. United Pride Dairy’s WPDES permit authorizes manure spreading across 5,420 acres in the Jump River watershed. The current numbers are fine, but 39 million gallons of annual manure is a lot of nitrogen entering a watershed that’s already at 80% of its phosphorus standard.
Private Wells: The Hidden Infrastructure
Price County has roughly 6,800 private wells. Unlike municipal water, private wells aren’t regulated — testing is voluntary. The DNR’s 2024 private well survey found that 8% of Price County wells exceed the 10 mg/L nitrate standard. That’s below the state average of 12%, but agricultural areas in the southern tier (Worcester, Kennan) showed higher rates.
If you’re on a private well in Price County, the DNR recommends annual testing for coliform bacteria and every-other-year testing for nitrate. The Price County Health Department offers test kits at $25 for bacteria and $30 for nitrate. That’s cheap insurance for what you’re drinking.
See also: our complete Price County fishing guide
See also: our guide to free camping in Wisconsin
See also: what makes Price County communities special
FAQ
How many lakes are in Price County?
Price County has 100+ named lakes and numerous unnamed ponds. The largest is Butternut Lake at 1,296 acres. The Phillips Chain of Lakes (Duroy, Elk, Wilson, Long) totals over 1,100 acres and runs through the city of Phillips.
Are there public beaches in Price County?
Yes. Several lake access points have maintained swimming areas, including Butternut Lake Public Landing, Phillips Lake Duroy beach (city park), and Round Lake boat landing. Water quality is monitored by the DNR from May through September.
What watersheds does Price County drain into?
Three major watersheds: North Fork Flambeau (western half), South Fork Flambeau (eastern tier), and Jump River (northern sections). All three feed the Chippewa River basin, which supplies drinking water to downstream communities including Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls.
How is water quality monitored in Price County?
The DNR operates 15 fixed monitoring stations across the county, publishing quarterly data on dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, phosphorus, and nitrate. Private wells are not regulated — annual testing is recommended and available through the Price County Health Department for $25-30.
Should I worry about agricultural runoff?
Current water quality data is generally good, but the Jump River watershed is approaching its phosphorus standard. United Pride Dairy’s CAFO permit authorizes 39 million gallons of annual manure spreading in this watershed. Monitoring is important — the data is public, and the DNR’s quarterly reports are the best source.